United took on Whitehills FC from the Durham 1st Division and despite both teams missing a few players United dominated plenty of the game and were unlucky to lose 3-2.
Despite United having the better possession at the start of the game Whitehills had the first chance. A break down the right and instead of the player pulling it back to the edge of the box where they had men waiting he tried to go it alone but Craig Averre blocked the shot for a corner.
On 20 minutes Whitehills had another chance when Scott Stevenson lost possession at the edge of the box and the shot went narrowly over the bar
United had a chance a minute later when a Dan Musther free kick from 20 yards out was heading into the top corner only for the keeper to get across and save it well
On 24 minutes Callum Atkinson ran the ball from his own half pretty much unchallenged and hit a fantastic shot with plenty of power but it was straight down the keepers throat and he saved it.
Then on 30 minutes both teams had a chance to break the deadlock. Whitehills shot from the edge of the box was saved by Steve Barnes and his kick out released Dan Musther whose cross was met with a header by Chris Brown but it went wide of the goal
On 32 minutes another United chance. Luke Tate held the ball up well and played it inside to Sam Wade who miskicked his first shot and his second attempt was poked wide
On 35 minutes Chris Brown and Sam Wade played a lovely one-two and Chris Brown got the shot in but it didn't have any power behind it and it was easy for the keeper to gather
3 minutes later another opportunity went begging for United. A fantastic move involving 4 players ended with Scott Stevenson shooting wide but the build up was brilliant
5 minutes before the break Whitehills had a free kick from 30 yards out. It looked like it had went narrowly over the bar but the ref gave a corner so Steve Barnes must have got a touch to put it over
Half Time - Wear United FC 0-0 Whitehills FC
Half Time subs for United - Kyle Hepple on for Chris Brown (Kyle going in goal and Steve Barnes going up top). Matty Colborn on for Sam Wade (Matty going into centre back and Craig Averre moving into midfield)
Whitehills started the better in the second half and nearly took the lead on 47 minutes. A chest then volley from the striker came back of the bar thankfully for United
It was 1-0 to Whitehills 2 minutes later though as a ball played right across the box was controlled and shot past keeper Kyle Hepple into the net.
United equalised within 4 minutes though. Scott Stevenson playing the ball to Luke Tate and he cut in from the left and shot across goal, the keeper managed to save it but pushed it right into Andy Meikle's path and he slid it in from 4 yards out. 1-1
On 55 minutes United could have took the lead. Scott Stevenson picking up the ball on the left and moved infield before shooting wide
United made a change on 60 minutes with Sam Wade coming back on for Stephen Keogh
Whitehills regained the lead on 62 minutes after United had another chance to score. Steve Barnes had a header which went straight into the keepers arms and his kick out landed at the strikers feet and he lobbed it over the outrushing Kyle Hepple and into the net
This time it took 6 minutes for United to equalise. Sam Wade passing to 'twinkletoes' Steve Barnes who showed some brilliant quick feet and took 2 Whitehills players out of the game before drilling the ball low into the net. 2-2
United's final change was Michael Smith replacing Luke Tate on 70 minutes
Whitehills should have been ahead again on 78 minutes but they were denied by not one, not two, but 3 great saves by Kyle Hepple.
They did however score one more goal and it was the winner. A throw in given to Whitehills (which should have been a United throw) found its way into the box and Andrew Hodgson attempted to clear it but only managed to kick it straight up in the air and it landed at the strikers feet and he made no mistake in hitting the back of the net. 2-3 to Whitehills
Full Time - Wear United FC 2-3 Whitehills FC
Another fantastic performance with some great play by United and it could have and should have been a United win but it wasn't to be.
Next up is South Hylton Potters
